The Triptastic 10: Recommended Reading Right Now

Every day, I read many great posts from the travel “blogosphere.” Certain ones, however, really catch my eye. Usually, it’s because they’re off the quirky, intelligent/thought-provoking or simply really well-done (well-written, amazing photos, great tips, etc.) or deal with a place or people off the beaten path. Or maybe they’re ‘sleeper posts,’ those yet to be recognized/appreciated.

These posts are what I call “Triptastic”–fantastic from a traveler’s perspective. They deserve more than a mere “tweet” or basic comment. They’re meant to receive some extra praise and to be shared with others.

Note: Although my favorite pick–well, this time there’s a tie–is at the top of the list, the others are in a random order and not intended to be a ranking.

My “Triptastic Picks”

This is unique–a really cool read with great photos! Fogg Odyssey takes you right into the lives of some Indian rickshaw drivers–and as you’ll see, what they do on a daily basis is a real adventure, from the people they meet to the things they see to the tips they get. I love the fact that T-roy delved deeply into this part of the local culture (PS: he really interviewed them and put serious time into this) since travel, for me, is really about the people more than anything.

Imagine trekking around the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal with an Australian supermodel as part of your tour and not knowing it—until later… But then, looking back on the experience, you realize that the signs were actually there. It happened to Audrey and Dan of Uncornered Market and they tell you the highly entertaining story in this post. My favorite signs: trekking with a rasta dude and drinking $5 mineral water when others drank treated water.

Cooking is a very in-the-moment sort of activity anyway; imagine doing it with the locals. All the better and that much more fun. I’d love to check out a cooking class like, the way The Road Forks did. The photos in this post are excellent; I can imagine how awesome their experience was. They say that even if the food hadn’t been good, it was a great way to “to penetrate the glass wall of tourism”. That’s what it’s all about! And oh yeah, the food does look good!

Dave and Deb, a married couple known worldwide for their adventure travel, recently participated in the Mongol Rally. Normally, when they travel as the PlanetD duo, Dave handles most of the photography. This time around Deb did–and the results of her photo essay are wonderful! This “photo story” really puts you in the moment, in the action and gives you some vicarious thrills. See what they did, who they met and get a sense of what it–the rally–was like.

Every play the role of “dark tourist” and visit places where wars were fought or atrocities or disasters, man-made or otherwise, occurred? I have and I’m sure a good number of you have, too. And if you haven’t, should you? Is it important for travelers/tourists to see some of these places in person and to pay tribute to the past–soldiers, victims, etc? Although this sort of travel may not be for everyone, a dialogue about it is. Thank you to Amanda of A Dangerous Business for writing this great piece.

Along the same lines as Amanda’s post, here’s a taxi tour of Belfast, Ireland–specifically of where the “troubles” began. Dalene and Peter of Hecktic Travels describe the tour and uses the tourguide’s own words at times. “….I don’t really know what normal is. Normal existed for me only up until the age of fifteen. That thought made me very angry.” This is a vicarious journey along with them–and their guide. The photos, which include some haunting murals, are excellent.

Did you know that…in the Galapagos islands, there’s a barrel that’s been used as a post office for the past couple hundred years? It’s true. And there’s no postage needed. You put a letter in the barrel and then see if there are any addressed to where you’re going next. You then hand-deliver the letter to those it’s addressed to. The Captain & Clark went to the Galapagos and picked up 22 letters addressed to around the globe and guess what? They’re going to be hand-delivering them to people at 22 different locations around the world. How cool is that!

I really liked this post and enjoyed hearing Caz’s perspective on why she chooses to be a perpetual nomad, preferring to stay within the “travel bubble” of a reality that brings her peace and joy versus the “problems, stresses, arguments and unhappiness” found in the world of everyday life–whether that means being in a permanent home in one location, staying somewhere too long or whatever the case may be. Fascinating read and one I’m sure you’ll enjoy because it will probably bring about some introspection (as yTravel Blog often does) and that, I think, is a very good thing.

I loved this post! Why? Well, first of all, it’s super creative and well-written. Also, I enjoy “love letter” posts. Remember when I “broke up with” my camera and asked you, my fellow travelers, to help me find Mr. Right? Well, in this post, Torre writes about her book, Swept, which she’s now saying goodbye to, in so many words, now that it’s being published. This is inspiring to me as I just finished writing a book, also travel memoirs, and hope to publish it soon–to “say goodbye” just as Torre has.

I loved this one from What’s Up El Salvador! Before I tell you what was written, let me tell you about the writer. His name is Andy and he’s a former police officer who is married to Nanelle, a former ballet dancer, and they’re living as ex-pats with their 5-year-old daughter in El Salvador. That alone is interesting to me. Anyway, in his post, he compares various traveler bloggers–C Bus included–to common nuts and fruits in Latin America. Love the way he does it; it’s a super creative approach. And I highly recommend checking it out.

PS: Do you think I, the C Bus driver, was labeled a fruit or a nut? Find out by clicking on the link….

Honorable Mentions

Here, I’d like to surprise you with some cool creative writing from Maria at Accelerated Stall that I really enjoyed reading! I think you might, too. Here’s where it begins…click at the end to keep reading… PS: It’s set in Cambodia.

Her eyes were as large and round as Kennedy half-dollars, her mouth open and of similar shape. Her adult driver parroted the expression of sheer horror but deftly maneuvered the motorbike.

Thanks for including our trekking with a supermodel post on this great round up! After this experience, I know how to put the pieces together a little quicker to know if we’re on a tour with a supermodel or someone famous. Of course, it’s never happened since…

Hi, Audrey. You’re welcome–it was a great post Yes, next time you’ll be able to spot a celeb fast. Just look for that fancy mineral water–LOL! Glad you enjoyed the other picks, including the nutty/fruity one. I really got a kick out of that!

Man that Uncornered Market article is priceless, love my own work but I would have went #1 with them. Not everyday you get to hike with a super model (every mans dream)! lolT-roy recently posted..Photo-Essay: Taj Mahal In The Morning

I agree–it’s really cool! Actually, you and the UM post are tied at 1st place–I just happened to go with the photo from yours. Love ’em both! Re: hiking with a super model–LOL. I’d be into that–but a male one who looks like Brad Pitt and can make a fire and set up a tent.

You’re very welcome, Amanda! I really did like the post–love articles like that and believe it’s very important for us as travelers to visit those sorts of places. Thanks for stopping by and keep up the great work–love reading your stuff!

These are great! I always enjoy when fellow bloggers highlight posts by people who might not get much traffic, or whose posts are just plain hidden 😉 Thanks for sharing.Claire recently posted..A Sunny Tuesday in September a Decade Ago